Explosives Act, 1884

The Explosives Act, 1884 is the main federal law regulating explosives in Pakistan — their manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport and import — and it has been substantially modernised over time, most recently by a 2025 amendment. Section 4 defines "explosive" broadly (gunpowder, nitroglycerine, TNT, detonators, fireworks, ammunition and similar substances) and, following amendments, adds detailed definitions of "illegal activities" (dealing in explosives without a licence), "deliberate explosion" (intentional use of improvised explosive devices), "major violations" (serious, terrorism-linked or unlicensed large-scale dealing) and "minor violations" (procedural lapses like expired licences or poor record-keeping) — distinctions introduced to separate genuinely dangerous conduct from technical non-compliance.

Section 5 lets the Federal Government make rules licensing the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport and import of explosives, and Sections 5A-5B (added later) create a formal split between minor and major violations and set out how offences are tried. Section 6 lets the government prohibit especially dangerous explosives outright, and Section 6A restricts explosives dealings by "young persons and certain other persons." Section 7 authorises rules for inspection, search, seizure, detention and removal of explosives, while Sections 8-9C require notice and inquiry into accidents involving explosives, including more serious accidents, and address offences committed by companies.

Section 10 allows forfeiture of explosives, Section 12 covers abetment and attempts, and Section 13 gives power to arrest without a warrant for dangerous offences. Section 17 lets the government extend the definition of "explosive" to other substances found to be specially dangerous by notification. Section 18 requires draft rules to be published for public comment before being finalised. Section 19, added by the 2025 amendment, requires explosives to be transported by air only on cargo or other permissible aircraft (never passenger aircraft), in line with ICAO, IATA and Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan rules. Section 20 gives the government power to resolve difficulties in implementing the Act.

Because this Act dates to 1884 and has been amended repeatedly (2002 and 2025 amendments are visible in the extract), and because the extract does not specify current licence fees or exact penalty amounts for major/minor violations, those figures should be checked against the current rules made under this Act rather than assumed.